Well, first of all, holiness isn't something that we can achieve on our own. It's not like some "new age" self-help program. No, holiness for us is totally dependent on the holiness of God and His giving it to us as a gift . We must remember that and stop trying to obtain it ourselves.
- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God--not of works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
- God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. I Corinthians 1:30 NLT
Secondly, since it isn't our nature, we have to actively seek it from God.
For example, Scripture says we are to consciously throw away the evil intent, nastiness, and mean disposition that we have in our lives. We are to stop tricking others (and ourselves) through double-speak or falsehoods. We are to be thankful for good things that others have been blessed with instead of being jealous that we don't have them ourselves. And we are to stop cutting down others in speech. (see I Peter 2:1 below) This seems like a pretty good start.
- Why are we not to do these things? Because they are of the flesh. They are worldly. They are human nature. They are not of God. And they are stumbling blocks for others who are more vulnerable than we are.
Scripture also says we are to yearn for pure spiritual milk (Biblical nourishment and Godly instruction, for example) like a newborn baby. (see I Peter 2:2-3 below)
- This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:8 NIV
So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation since you have tasted that the Lord is good. I Peter 2:1-3 HCSB
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 NIV
Lord, thank you that you want to give us part of yourself -- your holiness. Help us to put off the worldly self and to accept this wonderful gift you offer. For you alone are good. You are holy. You are God.
"Holy" is not an every day sort of word! We don't hear it bantered about in everyday conversation. And, yet, we have the gift of God's very own Holy Spirit- sent to be our constant source of holiness to guide us and comfort us. I try to remember that, not only am I wrapped in God's holiness at all times, but, it is within me. It is my job to, continually, accept the precious gift. And to share it with others.
ReplyDelete"Holy" is not an every day sort of word! We don't hear it bantered about in everyday conversation. And, yet, we have the gift of God's very own Holy Spirit- sent to be our constant source of holiness to guide us and comfort us. I try to remember that, not only am I wrapped in God's holiness at all times, but, it is within me. It is my job to, continually, accept the precious gift. And to share it with others.
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